Chinese Zoo: Don't Force Elephants to Perform Painful Tricks!

Official government news agency Xinhua reported that the Tianjin Zoo is using iron stakes to force two Asian elephants to perform unnatural tricks in their shows and in photographs for their profit. They charge viewers 10 yuan ($1.60) for admission, and 60 yuan to take pictures of the elephants.

These tricks include handstands and martial arts moves. According to Hu Chunmei of China's Nature University, "Stunts like handstands, sitting and kneeling are unnatural for elephants and will cause serious physical and mental harm." This is a disgrace for elephants, some of the most intelligent and family-oriented mammals on the planet.

Please sign the petition to urge the Tianjin Zoo to stop forcing elephants to perform painful stunts, and instead to feature human entertainers.

We, the undersigned, are concerned that your zoo is allegedly using iron stakes to force two Asian elephants to perform unnatural tricks in your shows and in photographs for your profit.

We understand that these tricks include handstands and martial arts moves. According to Hu Chunmei of China's Nature University, "Stunts like handstands, sitting and kneeling are unnatural for elephants and will cause serious physical and mental harm." We believe that this is a disgrace for elephants, some of the most intelligent and family-oriented mammals on the planet.

We urge you to stop forcing elephants to perform painful stunts, and instead to feature human entertainers. Zoos around the world are designing their shows around human performers and phasing out wild animals who don't want to perform and present a danger to trainers and audiences. We hope that you can move forward and do the same. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.